We Found the Best Places to Get Boozy Slushies in NYC This Summer

While the idea of boozy slushies may bring to mind that illegal Instagram business, some of the city’s best bars and restaurants are creating refreshing, ice-cold frozen cocktails ranging from freezing renditions of the classics to totally new (and fruit-filled) summer creations. For 90-degree New York City days when even an ice-cold beer simply won't do, there’s arguably no better drink than a slushy. Get ready for a brain freeze -- this is your official boozy slushy bucket list.

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Flatiron

Sure, you could take the time to fill a watermelon with Jell-O shots, OR you could head to Flatiron for a watermelon-infused upgrade on a classic frozen margarita. The Gander’s Watermelon El Jimador Slushie, made with house-squeezed watermelon juice, El Jimador Blanco tequila, lime juice, Aperol, and mint garnish is the perfect boozy watermelon treat, minus the whole DIY aspect.

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Nolita

Adding booze to a childhood dessert is kind of like finding sexual innuendoes in Disney movies, and the boozy sno-cone selection at Nolita favorite Pearl & Ash is the perfect way to feel like adult-you just discovered something 13-year-old-you never dreamed of. Though they're served in traditional paper cones, these gourmet sno-cones get enhanced with classy aperitifs. Flavors include grapefruit honey with Bonal; raspberry thyme with Byrrh; papaya ginger with Cocchi Rosa; and Cappelletti, which is similar to Campari.

East Village

Spiked with soju, a popular Korean spirit that goes down shockingly easy, Momofuku’s sweet Strawberry Rhubarb Slushie ($6) is as about as slurpable as its noodles. For a slightly less boozy option, opt for the Spicy Lychee Slushie ($6), made with white wine.

East Village

Offering the perfect two-for-one, the Lotus Eater ($12) at East Village mainstay Boilermaker does the trick of both cooling you down and energizing you. It's a caffeinated frozen concoction made with cognac, cachaça, fresh lime & orange juice, cold brew, coffee, and cinnamon, and it's best enjoyed alongside one of the bar's perfect burgers.

Nolita

Now that Mother's Ruin features everyday brunch, there’s really no reason not to ditch work and spend a day drinking your way through its iconic, ever-rotating boozy slushy menu ($13). Expect flavors like the Spring in Your Pants Slushy, made with gin, lemon, and mint leaves; The Banana Hammock, which blends dark and light rum along with banana and coffee; and the OG: tequila with a sweet chili molasses swirl.

Chelsea

You could trek all the way out to the beach, or you could grab a day pass ($60) to relax by the pool at The Beach at Dream Downtown. Wintertime drinks get a summertime twist, like the frozen Moscow mule, made with ginger slush, Absolut Elyx, and lime juice, and served by the glass ($16) or by the pitcher ($68).

Midtown West

The sister restaurant to David Chang’s fried chicken concept has a new spiked 163 Iced Tea Slushie ($10-20), a frozen take on a Long Island iced tea that replaces Coke with Dr. Pepper, nixes the sour mix altogether, and uses top-shelf liquor for optimum booziness. It's basically everything you could want in one Tiki mug (also available in a smaller size at Fuku for $6), and may or may not make you feel like you're drinking at a college frat party... in the best way.

Williamsburg

Perennial hipster hangout Skinny Dennis still serves one of the best frozen drinks in all of NYC: the Uncle Willie’s Frozen Coffee ($7). Dispensed from a slushy machine behind the bar, the ode to Willie Nelson is an ice-cold caffeinated drink made with coffee, coffee liqueur, milk, vanilla, and plenty of bourbon. Best of all, it's served in a classic diner to-go coffee cup (though you're still gonna have to drink it indoors...).

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Upper West Side

While margaritas are a nice accompaniment to California-style tacos and queso, a beachy boozy slushy goes a long way when you're sweating through your clothes. The Frozen Paloma ($12) from Upper West Side Cali-Mex haven Playa Betty’s is made with tequila, grapefruit juice, and a pink peppercorn-salted rim -- and it's just strong enough to make you forget you're on Amsterdam Ave and not at the beach.

East Williamsburg

This Chinese-Spanish restaurant in Williamsburg is an unexpected purveyor of strong, boozy slushies, all of which you should get to know ASAP. Start with the rainbow-hued Suicide Colada ($12) which, despite the rather depressing name, will certainly give you life.

Chelsea

If you're stuck on the classics but still want to cool down, The High Line Hotel’s outdoor bar/restaurant is serving a refreshingly boozy Frozen Negroni ($15) made with Campari, Carpano Antica Formula vermouth, and Greenhook Ginsmiths gin. For a slightly less spiked option, go with the traditional Italian Sgroppino ($15) made with lemon sorbet, limoncello, vodka, and Prosecco.

Columbia Heights

The rooftop at this Columbia student hangout is known for its frozen slushy margaritas ($8) customizable with fruity mix-and-match flavored syrups including mango, passion fruit, raspberry, strawberry, hurricane, banana, and peach. The best time to get them? After 11pm for $5 late-night happy hour.

South Williamsburg

Alongside an impressive list of large-format drinks served in buckets, this new Thai spot inside Baby’s All Right is doing the Pink Baby ($8), the perfect tart summer treat, made with frozen grapefruit lemonade, mate, and vodka. Visit for happy hour from 6-8pm when it's only $3 -- significantly better than actual airport bar prices.

Williamsburg

This McCarren Park-adjacent dive is known for its frozen margarita ($7), which is sweet, with just a little bit of tartness, thanks to an ample pour of tequila and absinthe. The only downside? Since they started cracking down on letting people take them to go (park drinking!), you’ll sadly have to settle for drinking indoors.

Chelsea

Sangria will always be a staple summer drink, but you'll forget all about the standard kind once you've tried the frozen variety at this Chelsea tapas bar. Choose from red, white, and rosé and pair it with some tortilla Española.

Bushwick

This popular Bushwick dive is serving up a seasonal Hibiscus Watermelon Slush ($10) topped with a plastic palm tree for good measure. Made with hibiscus flowers, house-made cucumber-infused vodka, silver nettle tea, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and puréed watermelon, this is the epitome of a vacation-worthy frozen cocktail.

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Harlem

Stop at the bar at this Harlem soul food go-to and order the Frozen Dark & Stormy ($12), a frozen take on the classic, made with Blackwell Rum, ginger, and Kelvin’s all-natural citrus. Then take down half a bird with some potatoes, collards, and cornbread.

East Williamsburg

Bushwick Country Club encourages you to skip the polo shirts and get dirty playing recycled-PBR-can mini golf. While you play, opt for one of the spiked slushies, including Sweet Tea Vodka and Jim Beam & Coke ($7). They're all poured right from the machine, movie theater-style. Don't miss the complementary cheese puffs, either.

Midtown East

The Gansevoort’s new signature frozen cocktail, Frosé ($15 on Fridays, $19 not on Fridays), is sure to be the most overly Instagrammed drink of the summer. Rosé sorbet is topped with sparkling rosé and garnished with fresh berries. It’s available poolside and on the surf-themed rooftop, Drift.

Bed-Stuy

Fort Greene

Bridging the gap between boozy milkshake and spiked slushy is 67 Burger’s beer milkshake ($6.50), which blends vanilla ice cream with Kelso beer. Should the combo scare you off, frozen piña coladas and mango daiquiris are also here to help you cool down.

Astoria

This Tex-Mex restaurant in Astoria is home to one of New York’s best mash-ups: the Sangrita ($5 at happy hour). Part frozen sangria, part margarita, it's an unlikely (and most importantly, cheap) boozy slushy combo that somehow totally works -- and is also available during weekend bottomless brunch, should you require multiple.

Astoria (& Upper East Side)

While indulging in some seriously good Thai food at this Astoria/Upper East Side spot, be sure to grab a frozen lychee slush ($10) packed with syrup, vodka, and triple sec. It’s a sweet treat that pairs well with spicy noodles.

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Melissa is a writer living in NYC. Her favorite type of boozy slushie is a DIY spiked movie theater ICEE, but the ones on this list are pretty great, too. Follow her on twitter @melissabethk.